Editor,
While thousands of well-wishers, supporters and members of the electorate had congratulated the candidates who have emerged as winners on Saturday 3rd March 2018, very few have remembered to acknowledge the efforts made by the Election Commission of India, with the Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya as its lead. With the kind of maturity and willingness to go out in engaging with the electorate of all ages, the efforts must have taken a toll on their families, their social life and even their health. The voting percentage will probably reach 86-87% or less similar to the 2013 elections-but come to think of it, would the electorate’s response be much lesser this year had it not been because of the public engagement efforts of the office?
Some Facebook posts remind us of the ECI’s efforts though, I am sure the CEO’s office is not seeking commendation but have proved that they are more mandate and call- driven from the start of the campaign.
Please join me in congratulating them for the work well done despite the challenges of voters’ apathy, unethical electioneering and voting, violence and even death.
Thank you CEO and team!
Melamshwa Allya,
Via email
Is Mukul Sangma a divisive factor?
Editor,
The election results in Meghalaya are disappointing. There is too much of a split verdict as no single party has a clear majority. The Congress that was riding high in the last election is brooding over her injury today. The NPP which was negligible presence previously, has emerged as a strong contender today. It is evident that there is much disorder within the Congress and the impact is manifested in the results. Anti-incumbency is doubtlessly the principal factor for the Congress’ downward trend. In the past few years Mukul Sangma has become a divisive factor within the Congress party. His dictatorial style of functioning is resented by party members. That has led to the open rebellion of many prominent members like Prestone Tynsong and P N Syiem. Mukul Sangma is an ambitious and egocentric leader who easily gives vent to his whims and fancies. It is apparent that he has too many hidden agenda. Had it not been because of anti-incumbency, the Congress would still be riding high today. What is more disappointing is that he is being cajoled and pampered by the Congress leaders at the centre. They even went to the extent of calling him the “most hard working CM in the country” (what a joke?). What Modi is for India, Mukul is trying to be in Meghalaya. I am not surprised that other parties like the UDP are not aligned with the Congress and have chosen to join the NPP instead! .
Yours etc.,
Barnes Mawrie sdb,
Via email
Oratory Skills and Statesmanship
Editor,
Apropos Jerome K Diengdoh’s letter, “Missing the woods for the trees” (ST March 2, 2018) I would like to remind him that in my letter to the editor dated (ST Feb 20 2018) the main content was to describe people who have oratory skills with substance and who can convert their words into deeds and others who have oratory skills with no substance in their speeches and some others who have no oratory skills but who possess governing and administrative abilities. I had given the names of Gladstone and Disraeli, two famous former Prime Ministers of England to prove my point and both were also statesmen. The state of Meghalaya today is badly in need of many more such leaders. Finally I would like to assure Jerome Diengdoh that his letter “Can’t see why Paul can’t win” (ST Feb 16,2018)does not need to be “read between the lines”.
Yours etc.,
Michael N.Syiem,
Via email
Stop obstructing development!
Editor,
Apropos the article “When will the sun shine in West Khasi Hills?” by Gervasius Nongkseh (ST Feb 22, 2018) I wish to comment that whatever the writer wrote is correct and well written. My appeal to him is to please keep on writing on other public related issues as well because Meghalaya needs people like Gervasius Nongkseh who can articulate public woes and deprivation in the media for development. Yes, it is a fact that West Khasi Hills is the most un developed, neglected and deprived among the Districts of Jaintia and Khasi Hills in all respects. And yes, if we don’t shed tears this time (elections time) we will never do it”. I hope the voters of West Khasi Hills understand the language expressed here but sadly many will not and will never learn any lesson and keep on suffering silently for ages. The writer has mentioned road communication problems of West Khasi Hills and has mentioned two of the worst roads the NongstoinMaweit and NongstoinKynroh roads. But the other horrendous roads have not been mentioned like the Nongstoin-RambraiKyrshai, Rambrai-Mawdoh, Nongstoin-Maweit-KulangNongjri, Rwiang-KlangrinNonglang-UmwahlangLangpih, NonglangUmwahlang-Tynghor, Riangdo-RiangkangNongjri, NongstoinRangblang-MariemUmdohlun-WahkajiPhlangdiloin, WahkajiNongtnger-DomiasiatNongbah JynrinMawthabah, WahkajiUmjarain-TynniawNongummer-Nongmalang, Umlieh-Tyllang-Nongriat, Kynshi-Myriaw-Nongriat and MawkyrwatRangthong-NongnahRanikor-NonghyllamNongjri-KhonjowaiMoheskola to name just a few are really terrible by day and horrendous by night.
In fact, till today, many villages have to walk on foot for three to four days to reach any motorable road not to speak of reaching the district head-quarters of Nongstoin and Mawkyrwat. In fact, the two lane 70 km NongstoinRangblang-MariemUmdohlun-WahkajiPhlangdiloin road was about to be taken up by a construction company in 2015-16 but it was aborted by the anti development NGOs.
The Khasi Hills District Council is another anti-developement agency because it failed to issue NOC to a good number of road projects in Khasi Hills to be undertaken by various construction companies both in West and East Khasi Hills. I appeal to the KHADC to stop obstructing road construction and other important developmental projects for the betterment of Khasi Hills and the state in general.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marweiñ,
Shillong-2.